Home » Spotlights » Kirsten R. Furl, BSN, MSN, FNP

Kirsten R. Furl, BSN, MSN, FNP

What year did you graduate from UT Health San Antonio? What degree do you have?

2014 – BSN

2016 – MSN, FNP

What is your specialty?

My degree is family practice, but I fell in love with gastroenterology during clinical rotations and now work full time in a GI clinic.

What was the most valuable lesson – inside or outside the classroom – you learned at UT Health?

Work ethic and dedication to my patients. I have several degrees outside of nursing (bachelor’s degree in English literature and a master’s degree in library science). I came to understand very quickly at UT Health that excellence was not a goal but an expectation. This was drilled into us constantly, and now I apply that every day in my career.

What inspired you to want to become a nurse?

My mom and my sister are both RNs, and as stressed and overwhelming as their jobs were at times, I remember actually feeling jealous when they told me stories from work. I craved the ability to tangibly improve someone’s life, and you get to do that on a daily basis as a nurse. I chose a different career path after obtaining my first undergrad degree, but always felt like I wasn’t reaching my full potential, that something was missing. I received incredible nursing care and midwifery during the birth of my son and a lightbulb went on. Reinventing myself as a nurse later in life seemed so overwhelming, but I started chipping away at prerequisites when my son was 6 months old and now can’t imagine a different life or career.

What do you remember most vividly about your time at UT Health?

The School of Nursing matched my passions perfectly. Academic excellence was obviously a top priority, but we were also groomed to bring joy and healing to our patients and to truly improve quality of life. This holistic approach to care was woven seamlessly into every lesson, and I loved that. I was chosen as a Long Scholar, which is an honor of which I’m immensely proud. Meeting Mr. and Mrs. Long was nothing short of inspirational, and I continue to strive to make them proud through my daily interactions with my patients in a rural setting. It’s truly an honor to serve the small community where I work. I’m passionate about top quality health care, and love that my patients are almost like family.

What was your most rewarding experience at the university?

By far the most rewarding experiences were during clinical rotations. I spent my last semester of my B.S.N. program at the Community Living Center at Audie Murphy, and it was here that I developed my passion for strong primary and preventive care. I was working with the same patients over several months, getting to intimately understand their chronic issues and develop solid care plans. Whether you work with a patient for years or only five minutes, it is so vital to establish good rapport and instill a sense of trust. I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to hone this skill with excellent clinical placement.

What is your greatest professional achievement?

I’m very proud of the relationships I have built with my patients. I work in a small community and having a solid reputation is paramount. I have worked hard to gain the trust of my patients and fellow health care providers in this area, and the fact that my practice continues to grow is humbling. I love getting referrals from friends and family members – this is a huge honor.

What is your current occupation and where? What’s a day on the job like for you?

I work as a nurse practitioner alongside the gastroenterologist at Connally Memorial Medical Center in Floresville. The majority of my time is spent in consultation with patients, and a big part of my job is education and helping my patients achieve wellness through lifestyle changes, healthier habits, and education regarding best practices for colon cancer screening.

What advice do you have for current students?

Nurses have the unique opportunity to be part of the fundamental human experiences including healing, grief and death. We see patients and their family at their happiest and saddest moments. As such, this job and line of work can take an emotional toll. Remember to turn inward at times, to respect your feelings and nurture yourself if necessary. You will be a better nurse if you have a healthy sense of your own needs and limitations. I’ve always said that the day I no longer grieve or celebrate with a patient will be the day I need to find a different job. We have an awesome responsibility and our patients deserve our humanity.

Why do you give back to the university (time and/or donation)?

I don’t know where I’d be without my education. I had a good job and was happy before going to UT Health, but I didn’t find myself until I started nursing school. Being a nurse isn’t a job, it’s a calling, and we need all the good hearts and hands that we can get. As the landscape of health care rapidly evolves, I want to be part of that conversation and, in my own small way, ensure that this profession is strongly supported and advanced in a way that ensures better medical care for all.